Sirach · Revised Version with Apocrypha
Sirach 26 Revised Version with Apocrypha
1 Happy is the husband of a good wife; And the number of his days shall be twofold.
1 Happy is the husband of a good wife. The number of his days will be doubled.
2 A brave woman rejoiceth her husband; And he shall fulfil his years in peace.
2 A faithful wife gives joy to her husband. He will fulfill his years in peace.
3 A good wife is a good portion: She shall be given in the portion of such as fear the Lord.
3 A good wife is a great gift. She will be given to those who fear the Lord.
4 Whether a man be rich or poor, A good heart [maketh ] at all times a cheerful countenance.
4 Whether a man is rich or poor, a good heart makes a cheerful face at all times.
5 Of three things my heart was afraid; And concerning the fourth kind I made supplication: The slander of a city, and the assembly of a multitude, and a false accusation: All these are more grievous than death.
5 Of three things my heart was afraid, and concerning the fourth kind I made supplication: The slander of a city, the assembly of a mob, and a false accusation. All these are more grievous than death.
6 A grief of heart and sorrow is a woman that is jealous of [another ] woman, And the scourge of a tongue communicating to all.
6 A grief of heart and sorrow is a woman who is jealous of another woman. Her tongue-lashing makes it known to all.
7 A wicked woman is [as ] a yoke of oxen shaken to and fro: He that taketh hold of her is as one that graspeth a scorpion.
7 A wicked woman is like a chafing yoke. He who takes hold of her is like one who grasps a scorpion.
8 A drunken woman [causeth ] great wrath; And she will not cover her own shame.
8 A drunken woman causes great wrath. She will not cover her own shame.
9 The whoredom of a woman is in the lifting up of her eyes; And it shall be known by her eyelids.
9 The fornication of a woman is in the lifting up of her eyes; it will be known by her eyelids.
10 Keep strict watch on a headstrong daughter, Lest she find liberty for herself, and use it.
10 Keep strict watch on a headstrong daughter, lest she find liberty for herself, and use it.
11 Look well after an impudent eye; And marvel not if it trespass against thee.
11 Watch out for an impudent eye, and don’t be surprised if it sins against you.
12 She will open her mouth, as a thirsty traveller, And drink of every water that is near: At every post will she sit down, And open her quiver against [any ] arrow.
12 She will open her mouth like a thirsty traveller, and drink from every water that is near. She will sit down at every post, and open her quiver to any arrow.
13 The grace of a wife will delight her husband; And her knowledge will fatten his bones.
13 The grace of a wife will delight her husband. Her knowledge will strengthen his bones.
14 A silent woman is a gift of the Lord; And there is nothing so much worth as a well-instructed soul.
14 A silent woman is a gift of the Lord. There is nothing worth so much as a well-instructed soul.
15 A shamefast woman is grace upon grace; And there is no price worthy of a continent soul.
15 A modest woman is grace upon grace. There are no scales that can weigh the value of a self-controlled soul.
16 As the sun when it ariseth in the highest places of the Lord, So is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of a man’s house.
16 As the sun when it arises in the highest places of the Lord, so is the beauty of a good wife in her well-organized home.
17 As the lamp that shineth upon the holy candlestick, So is the beauty of the face in ripe age.
17 As the lamp that shines upon the holy lampstand, so is the beauty of the face on a well-proportioned body.
18 As the golden pillars are upon a base of silver, So are beautiful feet with the breasts of one that is stedfast.
18 As the golden pillars are upon a base of silver, so are beautiful feet with the breasts of one who is steadfast.
19 Not in this translation
19 Not in this translation
28 For two things my heart is grieved; And for the third anger cometh upon me: A man of war that suffereth for poverty; And men of understanding that are counted as refuse: One that turneth back from righteousness to sin; The Lord shall prepare him for the sword.
28 For two things my heart is grieved, and for the third anger comes upon me: a warrior who suffers for poverty, men of understanding who are counted as garbage, and one who turns back from righteousness to sin— the Lord will prepare him for the sword!
29 A merchant shall hardly keep himself from wrong doing; And a huckster shall not be acquitted of sin.
29 It is difficult for a merchant to keep himself from wrong doing, and for a retailer to be acquitted of sin.